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bookly68's review against another edition
5.0
I first have to say that the narrator, Eilidh Beaton, is PHENOMENAL!! She is so versatile with all the voices!!! The women, children and men old and young!! She is INCREDIBLE!!
This wasn’t my favorite story of the series, but I still LOVED it and flew through it!! I’ve fallen in love with Scotland from this series. The characters in this story and their growth are AMAZING!! Carmen and Oke won my heart!! Oke is really special and very sweet!!
I loved how Carmen came to appreciate her family, her sister and nieces and nephew. She really grew up a lot throughout the story. I love that!!
I love this author’s writing and would read anything she writes!!
This wasn’t my favorite story of the series, but I still LOVED it and flew through it!! I’ve fallen in love with Scotland from this series. The characters in this story and their growth are AMAZING!! Carmen and Oke won my heart!! Oke is really special and very sweet!!
I loved how Carmen came to appreciate her family, her sister and nieces and nephew. She really grew up a lot throughout the story. I love that!!
I love this author’s writing and would read anything she writes!!
polarheights's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Fatphobia
jessica_reading_writing's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Overview: Decided to read this cute read as part of a book club. I've never read this author before. It was fine...It basically does what is says on the tin. It's a cute and warm and fluffy Christmas book. However...all the characters (and I mean all) were positively horrible (apart from maybe the children who were actually quite funny). The only reason I've given it 3 and a half stars is because it's set in Edinburgh where I used to live and the scenery and descriptions of the town literally made me feel warm and Christmassy. It had nothing to do with the characters at all...
Good points: The setting. I can speak from experience that Edinburgh is a wonderfully magical city especially at Christmas and I could easily see the city in my mind as I read some of the wintry and Christmassy scenes. I also enjoyed the story of saving an old bookshop and turning it into something magical.
Not so good points: Every single character was unlikeable and made me want to scream at them. And the love interests? Ick. Neither of them were exciting or had any chemistry. Luckily the story and setting was enough to keep me reading.
The ending somewhat saved this book too where everything came together and everyone was happy, but still...Don't expect to fall in love with these characters...but this book should fill you with Christmas spirit.
Overview: Decided to read this cute read as part of a book club. I've never read this author before. It was fine...It basically does what is says on the tin. It's a cute and warm and fluffy Christmas book. However...all the characters (and I mean all) were positively horrible (apart from maybe the children who were actually quite funny). The only reason I've given it 3 and a half stars is because it's set in Edinburgh where I used to live and the scenery and descriptions of the town literally made me feel warm and Christmassy. It had nothing to do with the characters at all...
Good points: The setting. I can speak from experience that Edinburgh is a wonderfully magical city especially at Christmas and I could easily see the city in my mind as I read some of the wintry and Christmassy scenes. I also enjoyed the story of saving an old bookshop and turning it into something magical.
Not so good points: Every single character was unlikeable and made me want to scream at them. And the love interests? Ick. Neither of them were exciting or had any chemistry. Luckily the story and setting was enough to keep me reading.
The ending somewhat saved this book too where everything came together and everyone was happy, but still...Don't expect to fall in love with these characters...but this book should fill you with Christmas spirit.
heidilreads's review against another edition
4.0
Not quite a Hallmark movie, but definitely some of the characteristics... Just not as cheesy.
gtjarvis's review against another edition
5.0
Jenny Colgan strikes again with this delightful winter read. Warm and fuzzy feelings feel like you're wearing warm and fuzzy socks. This book makes winters warmer, brighter and shorter. If you're looking for something cozy and fun I highly recommend it.
sofi0518's review against another edition
3.0
Super cute but typical Christmas rom-com. Just what you want for an easy end of the year book!
likesami's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
lavieboheme930's review against another edition
3.0
The pace of the book was too slow for me and I found it to be a struggle to get through at parts. The amount of time that passed during the time of the book, I would find myself forgetting what happened earlier because I felt that it dragged on.
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Carmen and Phoebe were the only characters I liked in the book. Carmen was trying her best, especially when having to deal with her mother who would constantly talk about how great Sofia. Sofia was even worse, especially when Carmen arrived to live with her. She always threw it in Carmen’s face that she was better, not once thinking about Carmen’s feelings. Phoebe, Sofia’s daughter, also had a sister, Pippa, who was just like their mother. Phoebe was afraid to talk because of what Pippa would say. And for that, Sofia and Pippa were the worst characters in the book and I found them hard to be lovable.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway
❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️
Carmen and Phoebe were the only characters I liked in the book. Carmen was trying her best, especially when having to deal with her mother who would constantly talk about how great Sofia. Sofia was even worse, especially when Carmen arrived to live with her. She always threw it in Carmen’s face that she was better, not once thinking about Carmen’s feelings. Phoebe, Sofia’s daughter, also had a sister, Pippa, who was just like their mother. Phoebe was afraid to talk because of what Pippa would say. And for that, Sofia and Pippa were the worst characters in the book and I found them hard to be lovable.
I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway